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Volume 53 Number 2, January 21, 2023 | ARCHIVE | HOME | JBCENTRE | SUBSCRIBE |
NHS demonstration, January 18, 2023
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have voted for strike action alongside nurses and ambulance staff in Unison. They took strike action on January 17, to be followed by a work to rule for the following five days. The NICE Unison Branch had the highest turnout from Unison branches across the country in the pay ballot and voted overwhelmingly for industrial action. NICE is large employer with over 500 staff based in offices in the centre of Manchester. Their staff picketed outside of City Tower in Piccadilly Gardens on January 17.
Workers at NICE see the whole of the NHS through their work across the whole sector and this is what has driven their high turnout and support for action. They can see that ongoing undermining of pay has resulted in low quality care, staff leaving professions and staff burn out all over the NHS.
NHS demo, January 18, 2023
A march with great spirit took place on Wednesday, January 18, to support NHS staff. Buses hooted support and marchers cheered, reflecting that the determination to safeguard the future of the NHS and all its workers is widespread and deep-rooted. When the demonstration arrived outside Downing Street the whole crowd spontaneously swerved towards the gates, facing the Downing Street occupant with anger and determination, before turning towards the stage for the speakers. There was strong support from people on the route, with calls and shouts of "Whose NHS? Our NHS!", "We are the NHS!", "Claps won't pay the bills!" and many more!